I had a meeting with the illustrious poet, which was
worthy of being remembered. On 22nd November 1937 I visited Iqbal with my uncle
and his son. The poet was confined o his house owing to long and protracted
illness, which ultimately proved fatal. In spite of it he received us with great
warmth and we stayed with him for over three hours. His old and devoted servant,
Ali Bux, came in many times and tried to stop him from overexerting himself, but
the Allama ignored his advice and went on talking to us. His heart seemed to
have opened up and freely expressed his views on various views.

Read Ali Bux’s testimony on his Master:

On Poetry

Speaking of pre-Islamic Arab poetry, the poet
remarked that he admired its realism and vitality and the spirit of chivalry and
heroism it breathed and also recited a few verses of Hamsa.

On Philosophical speculation and its futility

He said Islam enjoined upon its followers, resolute
action and love of reality and added that positive sciences were closer to Islam
in their rejection of speculative speculation. For two centuries, the Muslim
kept alive this tradition and remained steadfast in faith, morality and active
endeavor till under the impact of alien thought, mainly Hellenistic, the whole
of the East was intellectually crippled. Islam became a ‘sick man’. Iqbal
remarked that the renaissance of Europe was possible only when it had thrown off
the yoke of Greek metaphysics and learning. But in the present age problems
arose which set Europe also in the path of reaction. The Arab temperament was
most suitable for Islam but Hellenistic thought did the same to Islam, which it
had done to Islam what it had done to Christianity. It overpowered both the
religions.

On Sufism

With regard to Mysticism, Iqbal deplored the
ideological intemperateness of the Muslim mystics and observed that while the
companions of the sacred Prophet took delight in horsemanship and martyrdom, the
Sufis reveled in Sama’ (music) and Wajd (ecstasy). Talking about the resurgence
of Islam in India, he praised the efforts of Sheikh Ahmed Sarhindi, Shah
Waliyullah Dehlavi and Emperor Aurangazeb. But for them and their endeavors,
Indian philosophy and culture would have swamped Islam.

Separate homeland

He spoke of the demand of Pakistan (it should be
noted that his idea which materialized in 1947 after his death) and remarked
that a people without a homeland could neither preserve their faith nor develop
their culture. The preservation of religion and culture was dependent on
political power. Hence, Pakistan was the only solution to the problem of Indian
Muslims. Including their economic difficulties. In this connection he also
referred to the Islamic institutions of Zakat and BaitulMal.

Uplift of the Ummah

About the future of Muslims in India, he told us that
he had drawn the attention of some Muslim princes to the need of the preaching
and propagation of Islam among non-Muslims. He had also been laying stress o the
religious reform and uplift of Muslims, the promotion of Arabic language and the
establishment of a World (Muslim) Bank. It was also necessary to have a first
class daily English newspaper of Muslims for supporting their cause and lending
strength to their voice.

Poor leadership of Ummah

But he sorrowfully added that the petty and
shortsighted princes did not appreciate the gravity of the situation and the
significance of the changes taking place in the world.

Farewell

The poet wanted to go on with the conversation but we
felt that in view of his illness it would be better to depart. So we said
good-bye to him and left. We came away from Lahore within a few days. This was
our last meeting